Born in Tottenham, London, in 1990, Chipmunk picked up the microphone for the first time at the age of just 14. A series of mixtapes and spots on pirate radio brought him to the attention of Wiley (of Wearing My Rolex fame) and by age 17, the young'un was playing alongside Wiley at festivals including the prestigious Dour in Belgium. Then he stopped.

Unwilling to be known as Wiley's protege, Chipmunk decided to strike out on his own. While doing his A-levels at the same time. How on earth did he manage? Chip laughs as he explains. "The past two years have been the hardest thing. It's non-stop work. You finish a gig around 12, and then you get back home, and you're onto the next venue. And then you get up the next morning and do interviews." So far, so business-like, until the 18 year old adds. "Ah, man, and studying was the worst. I can't even tell you how."

If nothing else, Chipmunk is focused. A single word is tattooed on each of his hands: 'Achieve' on his left and 'Believe' on his right. Though he's grassroots British grime, Chip's self-belief and mantras are all-American. His Norf London chirp is littered with phrases including "Make the impossible possible", and his swagger makes Diddy look Peig Sayers-humble. "I've got a clothing line just out, and I've got my own label, but I haven't launched it yet. It's called Cash Motivation. I'm trying to build an empire. I don't want to have anyone else's career in 10 years time, I want my own career to be the best. I want to elevate the game."

He's sharp enough to note that bravado and persona are two different things, however. While talent is what sells records, charisma is what makes people turn the radio up. "All of my character, my persona, my swagger, it's all part of what draws people in. If they have their TV on mute, your swagger is what's going to make people take it off mute and listen. Or, if your song is on the radio, people will hear your persona and your character shining through."

Swagger aside, the kid's a born diplomat. His response to Kanye-Gate? "Would I ever do what Kanye did at the VMAs? No, but without people like Kanye, the industry would be boring." He manoueuvres a conversation about Eminem's lacklustre new album into one about his own career. "What he can do with his voice is amazing; not many people can do what he does. But, as for me, I'm going to try to stay focused and develop into a bigger artist." Lady Gaga? He's a fan. But urges us to talk less about her, more about him. "Gaga is very unique and specific to Gaga. She's influenced a lot of people in the way she dresses and with her music. I think I've been doing the same thing."

From age 15 to 17, Chip admits that, "I did get an awful lot done," then adds, "in the two years between 17 and 19 I'm going to take it even further." There's no doubt that he will. Of the three singles that he has released so far, two of them have been in the Top 3.

A mixture of garage, dancehall and hip-hop, grime is a niche genre in the UK. It's choppy, punchy and fast, and up until Dizzee Rascal, not exactly chart-topping stuff. Part of Chipmunk's mainstream success stems from his melange of grime, American hip-hop, and r&b. Does he feel obliged to acknowledge his grime niche roots? Of course not. The kid wants to move up and out. "I began from making mixtapes, and now the more that artists collaborate, the more the genres cross-pollinate. I feel music isn't as specific anymore, a good song is a good song."

With album I Am Chipmunk released this week, he's realistic about record sales, explaining that "it's important that your fans understand what will happen if they buy your music rather than download for free. If they understand, they should buy my music, I can get Top 10 and then you can see my video, you know what I mean? Otherwise, kids will just do what kids do. You've got no money, Limewire's around the corner, I'm not saying it's a good thing, but I understand why. But, I'm going to be a superstar and try my hardest, and they can help me get to my destination by buying my single."

For someone who comes from such a British background but who has such American ambition, the logical plan is to conquer both markets.

"I reckon over here we respect the Americans' music a bit more than they respect us, but time will tell. Someone needs to go over there and wake them up properly. That's going to be my job," he states, with the blissful confidence of youth and talent.

In the meantime, before total world-domination, there are going to be a "few big collaborations in the pipeline", but Chip's lips are firmly closed shut. "I can't reveal any of the details. I can't even give you a clue. I'm not allowed, I'd be in big trouble."

Alongside releasing a new single, Oopsy Daisy, he's supporting Tinchy Strider on a UK arena tour until December. He might also go to university at some stage, but he's "good for now. I'll wait until I've put out a few more albums, man". Is there anything missing from Mr 'Munk's mission to 'believe and achieve'? Only one thing, for the time being. "If I'm going to be bigger than Jay-Z, I need a Beyonce. There isn't one in this country, though. I need to find one for real!"

I Am Chipmunk is out now.